Newswise — OAKLAND, Calif., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Machaon Diagnostics today announced the availability of its "aHUS Genetic Panelâ„¢" (patent pending) to genetically confirm atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) with a turnaround time of 48 hours. The 48 hour timeframe is a dramatic advancement over other approaches which offer results in 4-13 weeks. The speed of the aHUS Genetic Panelâ„¢ allows the test to impact patient care in acute settings, enabling doctors to better serve those suffering with this life-threatening disease when it matters most.

"We believe the ability to confirm aHUS through our aHUS Genetic Panelâ„¢ will significantly impact how this disease is treated and has far reaching implications. This is a game-changer. There are going to be tangible and positive impacts for these patients in hospitals, university medical centers and transplant centers both in the United States and beyond," said Machaon Diagnostics CEO and founder, Mike Ero. He added "This kind of turnaround time is unheard of and sets the bar very high."

AHUS is a life threatening, progressive, genetic disease (also referred to as Compliment Mediated TMA) frequently occurring following some triggering ever revealing a defect in the complement immune or coagulation regulatory systems. Of patients diagnosed with aHUS, 50% will die, develop End Stage Renal Disease or suffer permanent kidney injury within the 1 year of diagnosis. The grim statistics surrounding aHUS make immediate laboratory differentiation of aHUS critical to prescribing the correct, life-saving, course of treatment. AHUS is considered a rare disease (1 in a 500,000 in the general population in the US); however, some reports have sited prevalence as high a 1:150,000 in certain children populations.

Machaon Diagnostics employs a NexGen sequencing technique (patent pending) allowing for the rapid detection (<48 hours) of over 150 known or suspected mutations, deletions and polymorphisms previously reported as associated with aHUS. Machaon Diagnostics will continue adding mutations to this test as they are identified, reported and confirmed.

Doctors or Lab Directors interested in ordering this test or getting draw kits should contact Machaon Diagnostics directly at 510-839-5600.

Machaon Diagnostics is a clinical reference laboratory located in Oakland, California, specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of hemostatic and thrombotic conditions. Machaon Diagnostics is widely recognized for the speed at which we are able to deliver critical results (many within 24 hours) which directly impact patient care. Started as a collaboration of four laboratory scientists, Machaon Diagnostics has a defined vision to deliver customizable reference lab testing to the healthcare and bioscience industries.